Episode 8: Easter special
Happy Easter from all the Postcards team! If, like most, you are full of chocolate and just need to relax this afternoon, join us to indulge in something a little more calorie controlled as we revisit some of this year's story highlights.
Mildura with Stefano
When you think of food in Mildura, you no doubt think of celebrity chef Stefano De Pieri. There's his café and bakery, along with his namesake restaurant, Stefano's. The renowned eatery is located in the cellar of the Grand Hotel and if you fly with Qantaslink, it will take you about an hour and 20 minutes from Melbourne.
Suzie's joined Stefano on a culinary tour of the area. First stop was Thurla Farms on the outskirts of town, where they grow grapes and farm a very famous local fish. From there it was time to get some yabbies. Once all the produce was located it was back to Stefano's, where he began preparing culinary delights for all to enjoy. His restaurant was awarded two chefs hats recently by The Age Good Food Guide Awards.
Stefano's
Ph: 03 5023 0511
www.stefano.com.au
Mildura
Ph: 1800 039 043
www.visitmildura.com.au
Qantaslink
Ph: 13 13 13
www.qantas.com
Mornington Market
Rain, hail or shine, Mornington's Main Street Market kicks off every Wednesday morning at 9am and features the Peninsula's best crafts, plants and produce. But to get the pick of the crop, you've got to get in early. Main Street Market is Victoria's longest-running street market; going weekly for almost 30 years. There are around 80 stalls, so you'll always be able to find something for someone. Everything here is home grown, home made and home baked. And as with any good market, there are plenty of delicious things to eat, and best of all, you get to try before you buy.
Mornington Main Street Market
Wednesdays, 9am 3pm
Main Street, Mornington
Ph: 03 5975 4522
Montalto
Located in rustic Red Hill, just an hour's drive from Melbourne on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, Montalto is a place that can mean many things to many people. To start with, it's a vineyard, but it's also an olive grove, and you never quite know what you might find lurking in the paddocks. The annual Montalto Sculpture Prize is open to all artists working in any medium. You can stop by and enjoy a pizza in the piazza, but the fine dining restaurant is what makes this place worth the detour. Each day chef Barry Davis visits the Estate's fruit, veggie and herb gardens to harvest the best of the bunch for use in the restaurant. He changes the menu daily depending on what he can find. Barry's been doing this since 2003 and every year since then he's won a chef's hat in The Age Good Food Guide.
Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove
33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South
Ph: 03 5989 8412
www.montalto.com.au
Hot air ballooning
Blair takes to the skies over Bendigo at sunrise for an experience of a lifetime with Bendigo Ballooning. Bendigo is quickly becoming one of the most popular Victorian ballooning destinations, attracting enthusiasts of all ages. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the views while the pilot busily reads the conditions and adjusts the balloon's height to make the most of the flight. The balloon drifts at 500 feet above ground and while Blair enjoys the smooth and peaceful ride, the challenge of finding a landing spot without ending in the forest draws near.
After a safe return to land, a sumptuous champagne breakfast at Bendigo's Quills Restaurant is just the thing to top off this amazing experience.
Bendigo Ballooning
Ph: 1800 730 330
www.bendigoballooning.com.au
Red Hill wineries
Suzie selected a tour of the wineries of Red Hill as one of her favourite things to do in Victoria. The first stop is Foxeys Hangout, just 90 minutes' drive south of Melbourne. It's run by the Lee brothers - Michael and Tony. Tony's wife Cathy Gowdie has recently written a book on the family's journey from city folk to novice farmers. A short drive up the road you come across T'Gallant, located at Main Ridge, where Suzie's first port of call is the cellar door. Lunch of mushroom and gorgonzola pizza cooked in a wood fired oven also beckoned at house restaurant LaBaracca. The pizzas, along with a host of other taste sensations on the menu, are all delicious.
Foxeys Hangout
795 White Hill Road, Red Hill
Ph: 03 5989 2022
www.foxeys-hangout.com.au
T'Gallant
1385 Mornington Flinders Road, Main Ridge
Ph: 03 5989 6565
www.tgallant.com.au
What's on
Setting the Scene
If you've ever wondered what it's like to go behind the scenes on a movie set, get yourself to ACMI for the last week of the Setting the Scene exhibition.
Where: ACMI
When: Until 19 April 2009
More: Visit www.acmi.net.au
Antarctica
Experience the chill of Antarctica at Melbourne Aquarium these school holidays and have the chance to see Australia's only collection of sub-Antarctic penguins.
Where: Melbourne Aquarium
When: Easter school holidays
More: Ph 03 9923 5999 or visit www.melbourneaquarium.com.au
Grape Grazing
Don't forget to head to the Yarra Valley and its magnificent wineries next weekend as this year's Grape Grazing festival is on for all to enjoy.
Where: Yarra Valley
When: 18 - 19 April 2009
More: Ph 03 5962 6600 or visit www.grapegrazing.com.au
